Chicago Cubs third baseman Kris Bryant looked bad striking out in the first inning Wednesday against the San Francisco Giants, but he hit a towering homer in the fifth in his first game after coming off the disabled list.
He added: I’m sure there will be days in the future when it feels sore, but right now it feels pretty good.

When the shoulder became an issue, Bryant said extra time in the batting cage caused the soreness, but when he went on the DL he said he originally hurt it about a month before on a slide.

Bryant has been solid this season, but the former MVP struggled in June. He entered Wednesday’s game batting .280 with nine homers Shabazz Napier Jersey and 36 RBIs.

The Cubs had just lost their fifth in a row when Bryant went on the DL, but they have turned it around since then with a 10-4 record.

Bryant will be a big boost as teams wonder what they need before the trade deadline.

Maddon said he may have to be more proactive in giving him a day off, something he has been doing more with Anthony Rizzo.

I don’t know the answers but I’m prepared if we have to, Maddon said.

The moves were expected.

The 7-foot-1 Len, who comes from the Ukraine, was the fifth overall pick in the 2013 draft after one season at Maryland. He played in 335 games over four seasons with Phoenix, averaging 7.2 points and 6.5 rebounds per game, never becoming the dominant big man the Suns had hoped he would be. Last season, Len appeared in 69 games, averaging 8.5 points and 7.5 rebounds.

Acquired from Orlando for a second-round pick at last season’s trade deadline, Payton averaged 11.8 points, 5.3 rebounds and 6.2 assists in 19 games with Phoenix but shot 44 percent from the field, 20 percent from 3-point range.

The Suns’ decision not to re-sign the players first was reported by The Arizona Republic.

After the NBA Draft last week, the NBA offseason is in full swing with 2018 NBA free agency right around the corner.

John Schuhmann joins me to help break down the latest reports on Kawhi Leonard, discuss LeBron James’ looming free agency decision, and pick under-the-radar teams and players to watch when free agency begins at midnight on July 1.